Police seize pot, guns in foiled burglary

Kevin D. Finley, dob 9/12/94, of the 1200 block of Varsity Boulevard in DeKalb, was charged with armed violence, unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm without the requisite firearm owner's identification card and a few other related charges.

DeKALB – Although two teenagers tried to break into a DeKalb apartment Wednesday, the apartment’s resident was the one who faces stiffer charges after police found marijuana, ecstasy and two loaded handguns there, authorities said.

Police said James D. Ward, 19, of the 800 block of Regent Drive in DeKalb, and a 15-year-old DeKalb girl were spotted trying to break into an apartment in the 1200 block of Varsity Boulevard about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday. Someone called police to report the suspicious behavior, DeKalb Police Sgt. Steve Lekkas said.

Kevin D. Finley, 19, who lives at the apartment, was not home but was on his way when DeKalb police contacted him about the attempted break-in, court records show. Finley admitted he had marijuana inside the apartment and gave permission for police to search his home.

DeKalb police found almost 15 ounces of marijuana, nine pills suspected of containing ecstasy or a related substance, and two loaded handguns; the guns were inside a laundry basket in Finley’s room near large quantities of the drugs, court records show. Police also took $724 in cash, a digital scale, a metal grinder and packing materials.

Finley was charged with armed violence, unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm without the requisite firearm owner’s identification card and a few other related charges.

If convicted of the most serious charge, armed violence, Finley would face between 15 and 30 years in prison. The armed violence charge alleges Finley had a weapon nearby while committing another felony, police said.

Finley remained in DeKalb County Jail on Thursday, unable to post 10 percent of his $75,000 bond. He is next due in court Thursday.

The 15-year-old girl was referred to juvenile court; and Ward was charged with attempted residential burglary, possession of burglary tools and obstructing identification. He remained in jail Thursday unable to post 10 percent of his $25,000 bond, and is next due in court Monday.